Big Ten Football Is In Good Hands

For the first time, high-profile Big Ten teams flew across the country with in-conference games on the line. Penn State traveled to California to take on USC, and Ohio State traveled to Oregon. The Trojans' introduction to the Big Ten has been a bumpy road, to say the least, with losses to Michigan and Minnesota on their early-season resume. This was Oregon’s first real Big Ten test and the largest of the season. 

Three teams ranked in the top five in the country plus a USC squad looking to show everyone that Big Ten football wouldn’t be too much for them to handle in this new transition? Week 7 lived up to expectations. 

USC came out with a point to prove against the Nittany Lions. After punting on their opening drive, they scored on four of the next five drives and took a 20-6 lead into halftime. They were making a statement against the No. 4-ranked team in the country and defending their home field in California. 

Enter Drew Allar and Tyler Warren. 

After throwing for 118 yards and an interception in the first half, Allar threw for 273 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the second to help bring Penn State back into this football game. His partner in crime, Warren, racked up 224 yards of offense while doing everything but kicking a football in this game. He has been a do-it-all player for Penn State and caught a touchdown pass as a center.

Warren tied the record for the most receptions by an FBS tight end with 17 on the day, and he was instrumental in the comeback. 

The game pinballed back and forth until the end of the fourth quarter. With the game tied 30-30, both teams had a possession before the end of regulation. Miller Moss and Allar both threw interceptions, sending the game to overtime. After a USC missed field goal, Penn State hit the game-winner on the next possession and eked out a 33-30 victory over the Trojans in California. 

Then, the game of the day began: Ohio State versus Oregon, the second-ranked team against the third-ranked team in the country. The margins were slim in a game where the largest lead was eight points. 

After an early fumble by Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins, neither team had any turnovers. It was a back-and-forth affair that saw both quarterbacks throw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns without throwing interceptions. Dillon Gabriel was everything Oregon was hoping he’d be for this team when he transferred from Oklahoma. He was calm, cool, collected in the big moments, took care of the football, and used his legs when he needed to rush for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to take a 29-28 lead over the Buckeyes.

After a drive that took more than seven minutes for the Buckeyes, they took the lead right back with a field goal and led 31-29 with six minutes left. Gabriel didn’t blink. He threw to four different receivers including a 26-yard completion to Terrance Ferguson and a 15-yard penalty forced by Evan Stewert to set the Ducks up inside the ten-yard line. They’d get down to the 1-yard line before taking the lead with a field goal, making it 32-31 with 1:47 left in the game. 

Gabriel sat on the bench, knowing he did all he could. Surrounded by his teammates, they watched as Will Howard led Ohio State down the field, trying to get into scoring range, and after a “too many men on the field” penalty from Oregon, six seconds remained. Then this happened.

Oregon survived its first true Big Ten test. This win answered a huge question for the Ducks, as many asked if they could handle the “more physical” game style that the Big Ten plays. Not only did they not back down, but they prevailed. 

With USC’s response, despite a losing effort, and Oregon’s statement against Ohio State, it’s safe to say these two teams will offer tough challenges and great matchups for years to come in the Big Ten. The impact on Ohio State’s Big Ten championship resume takes a hit after that loss, setting the stage for a showdown against Penn State in a few weeks with Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications. Oregon and Penn State are the class of the Big Ten in 2024.

Both quarterbacks have shown resiliency and grit to win these closely contested games and to answer the bell every week. Gabriel has thrown his name back into the Heisman conversation, and Allar is playing the game like a three-point artist in the NBA; just keep shooting, and good things will happen. There’s a lot of football left to be played this season, and both players will be out there not only to win a championship but to show NFL teams what they are made of and improve their draft stock.

Questions about whether or not “super conferences” should exist will continue as the landscape of college football changes. Aside from the challenges of an ever-expanding College Football Playoff, Oregon and USC made the right choice to join the Big Ten, and the games fans get will pay off—not just for the fans but for the teams, too. More challenging roads will be carved to future Big Ten Championship games, more competition will bring out the best in these players, and when it’s time for the Championship game, the two that make it will be ready. The Big Ten is in good hands.